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Darren Chester highlights reducing living costs for regional students and improving access to tertiary courses

Local MP Darren Chester highlights that reducing living costs for regional students and improving access to diverse tertiary courses are key education issues. He emphasises the need for continued policy improvements.

By news@gippsland - 24th June 2024 - Back to News

Reducing the cost of living pressures for regional students and improving access to a broader range of tertiary courses are two of the biggest issues facing the education sector, according to local MP Darren Chester. In addition to representing his constituency as the Federal Member for Gippsland, Mr Chester also serves as the Shadow Minister for Regional Education.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester accompanied Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster on visits to local schools, universities, and early learning centres in Mildura recently to gain insights into the current regional education landscape

Addressing regional education

As part of his commitment to understanding broader regional issues, Mr Chester visited Mildura to gain insights that will contribute to his policy work in addressing the challenges in the regional education sector.

Mr Chester said it was a valuable experience to accompany Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster on visits to local schools, universities, and early learning centres. "It allowed me to gain firsthand insights into the current education landscape in different regional areas, a crucial part of my role as we shape policies ahead of the next election."

Invest in education

Mr Chester also said," Regional Australia grows world-class food and fibre, and we also grow great kids. We need to keep investing in regional education for our youth to achieve their full potential as tradespeople, running their own business or farm, or undertaking tertiary studies."

"In government, we made access to university more affordable for students forced to move away from the regions. But in the wake of increased cost of living pressures, we need to go further and continue to implement policies that improve access to tertiary studies in our own communities and reduce the financial barriers for students who are forced to move away from home to access the course they require," he said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to include the region among Victoria's three free dental clinic locations
  Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to select Latrobe City for a free regional dental clinic, improving affordable healthcare access and reducing cost-of-living pressures.
• South Gippsland Shire Council seeks community feedback on future of local aquatic facilities and swimming pools before 6 December 2026
  South Gippsland Council is seeking community feedback on the future of aquatic facilities, with ageing infrastructure, changing visitation, rising costs and renewal needs under consideration. Feedback closes December 6.
• East Gippsland Council adopts 2025–26 Annual Report, highlighting infrastructure investment, community services and financial sustainability
  East Gippsland Shire Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights $30.4 million in capital works, community services and economic development. Despite a $7.7 million operating surplus, Council recorded a $3.1 million underlying deficit.
• Traralgon Tyers interconnect begins, strengthening water supply reliability and resilience across four Gippsland towns for future regional growth
  Gippsland Water has begun construction on a 4.5-kilometre pipeline linking four towns to Traralgon’s water network, improving reliability, resilience, efficiency and capacity for future regional growth.
• Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
  Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas.
• Baw Baw Council awards $137,000 in community grants to 35 local groups supporting events, programs, equipment and community projects across the shire
  Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally awarded more than $137,000 to 35 community groups through its first 2026/27 grants round, supporting local events, projects, equipment and initiatives across the Shire.
• Gippsland Water installs filter-to-waste system to better protect Maffra drinking water from contamination risks
  Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at Maffra treatment plant, improving drinking water protection, reducing supply disruptions, and strengthening resilience against pollution, storms, bushfires and other water quality events.
• Yarragon weekend escape offers country hospitality, local flavours, shopping and scenic West Gippsland adventures
  Yarragon offers an easy West Gippsland weekend escape from Melbourne, combining boutique shopping, local food and wine, scenic walks, galleries, markets and welcoming country accommodation.
• East Gippsland Council seeks community feedback on general local law review before 2027 expiry, submit by 2 October 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its General Local Law review, covering public spaces, safety, amenity and local activities, with consultation open until Friday, October 2.